Device to Form a Box Lid Stanchion

ABSTRACT

A device that can be fixed to the underside of a container cover that is compressed or flattened against said container cover while not in use but is formed into a rigid support stanchion extending from the underside of said container cover to the top surface of the product that is inside of the container when the container cover is placed over the product and thus preventing said container cover from collapsing into the contents held in said container and further substantially reducing or eliminating any damage that the container cover causes when it touches the product in the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to food containers and relates in particular to the packaging of food products such as pies, cakes and pizza's that have a fairly extensive areal surface that requires protection.

The invention is particularly useful as a component of containers of pizza pies.

In the packaging of food products such as pizza pies and like food products in “fast food” or “takeout” establishments it is important to have a low cost and convenient container which protects the food product especially when loaded containers are stacked upon one another and when the hot and damp contents of the container cause the cover to weaken and sag onto the contents.

When stacked, the crown central portion of the container cover tends to collapse inwardly when it contacts the food. This creates an undesirable situation especially when the food product is a freshly made hot pizza whose top dressing usually includes a sauce or melted cheese. The collapsed crown sticks to the top of the pizza making it difficult to separate the cover of the container from the pizza without creating a messy and untidy situation.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Prior art containers have approached this problem by providing a separate plastic or paper board spacer, separate from and independent from the container, which is positioned upon the food product to keep the crown or central portion of the lid spaced from the surface of the food product.

While these prior art structures have a measure of utility, they have the disadvantage of (1) extra expense, (2) the problem of keeping inventory of containers consistent with the inventory of spacers, (3) not being readily at hand at the moment the container is loaded with the food product, and (4) not remaining rigid when the container cover is closed and compressed.

A typical prior art structure which is useful internally or externally of the container is disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,975,951 issued Mar. 21 1961 to W. J. Bosche, Jr. A collar like structure formed from strips of cardboard includes cleats 25 for connection the collar to the outside top wall 1 of the food container. Obviously the collar could also be attached to the inside surface of the top wall to support the crown or central portion of the top wall.

Another prior art structure is disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,540 issued Apr. 6 1996 to E. R. Knapp. The portion 15 with the nib 18 requires that the nib perforates the lid 20 which will in most cases not perforate the lid which will cause the support device to collapse. Other designs have various supports for container covers but they are not designed to be made as part of the container cover when the container is formed or manufactured. These designs include W. EHRLICH U.S. Pat. No. 2,404,776, I. E. STOKER U.S. Pat. No. 3,180,739, MAC MANUS U.S. Pat. No. 3,637,404, COHEN U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,842, VITALE U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,586, BECK et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,609 and Wall U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,050.

SUMMARY

It is the object of the present invention to form a stanchion fixed to a container cover thereby preventing said container cover from collapsing onto any product or contents contained in a container.

It is still another object of the present invention to form a stanchion on the inside of the container cover that is compressed onto the inside of said container wherein said stanchion has a profile of no greater than the thickness of the material that forms said stanchion and thereby substantially reduces any damage to the contents within the container.

It is still another object of the present invention to form a low profile to said stanchion while it is being shipped and stored in packages of multiple low profile containers.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to form a stanchion that is fixed on the inside of a container cover that is easily assembled into a rigid stanchion on the container cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a section elevation of the container cover 2 collapsed onto the product.

FIG. 2 is a section elevation of the container cover 2 being supported by a stanchion.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the device of the present invention prior to assembly of the stanchion.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device of the unassembled stanchion of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a section elevation of the stanchion assembled.

FIG. 6 is a section elevation of the stanchion as taken through FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a section elevation as taken through FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a section elevation as taken through FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a section elevation as taken through FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of the device of the second preferred embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the device of the second preferred embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a section elevation of the device of the second preferred embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a section elevation as taken through FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the second preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST AND SECOND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a section elevation of a container 7 shown with the container cover 2 collapsed onto the product 4 which could be a pizza. The container cover 3 has collapsed onto the product due to the heat and dampness of the product thereby softening the container cover. The container cover may also collapse from the weight of the other containers or objects being placed on the top of the container cover. The container 7 is also shown with a container bottom 8 and sides 9.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a section elevation of a container 7 with the container cover 2 being supported by an assembled stanchion 1. The stanchion 1 is suitably fixed to the container cover 2 and is shown being supported by the product 4. The stanchion 1 is touching the product in an area that is less than five percent (5%) of the area that the container cover would touch as shown in FIG. 1, therefore the stanchion substantially reduces any possible damage to the product inside of the container.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown an isometric view of the container 7 with an open or unassembled stanchion 1 suitably fixed to the container cover 2. There are several methods shown describing how the stanchion 1 or other embodiments of the stanchion are suitably fixed to the container cover 2 for ease of shipping.

There are two methods of the unassembled stanchion to the container cover. One method shown in FIG. 3 is an insert tab 22 inserted into a hollow space formed in the container cover 2. A second method is the use of adhesive 30 that bonds the open stanchion 1 to the container cover 2. Either method may be used alone or together.

Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown an enlarged plan view of the stanchion 1 of the first preferred embodiment.

The stanchion 1 is shown unassembled and is made out of cardboard, fiber board, plastic, metal, paper or some other suitable material.

The stanchion 1 is comprised of a first end 10, a second end 11, a third end 12, a fourth end 13, and a fifth end 14, and said stanchion 1 has a first bend line 16, a second bend line 17, a third bend line 18, a fourth bend line 19, and a fifth bend line 20. All bend lines are suitably scoped or pre-bent to allow the stanchion to be easily formed. The stanchion 1 also has an insert tab 22 that extends from the third end 12. The lock slot is a slot 24 formed by cutting or stamping in the first end 10 that will accommodate the assembly tab 26 when the stanchion is assembled, which will be further described and shown in other details. The lock slot extends from the first side to the second side of the first end 10 and the lock nib 23 is further shown formed in the assembly tab 26.

Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown a section elevation of the stanchion 1 formed into a vertical stanchion. The stanchion 1 is shown suitably fixed to the container cover 2 by the insert tab not shown in FIG. 5 or by adhesive or by other suitable means also now shown.

The product 4 is shown on the container bottom 8. The stanchion 1 is shown touching and being borne by the product with a far smaller footprint than the container cover 2 as shown in FIG. 1.

The stanchion 1 is formed into essentially a box like configuration by bending the first bend line 16 forming the first end 10 and the second end 11 and further bending the second bend line 17 forming the second end 11 and the third end 12 and further bending the third bend line 18 forming the fourth end 13 and the third end 12 and further bending the fourth bend line 19 thereby forming the fourth end 13 and the fifth end 14 that is fixed to the first end 10. By the assembled tab 26 that is shown suitably inserted into the lock slot 24. The lock nib 23 is shown locking the assembly tab 26 to the lock slot 24 and fourth end 10.

Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown a section plan view of the stanchion 1 as taken through FIG. 5. The stanchion 1 is shown suitably fixed to the container cover 2 by the insert tab 22 that is inserted into a hollow space 27 suitably formed between the first side of the container cover 2 and the second side of the container cover 2. Also shown in FIG. 6 is the first end 10, the second end 11, the third end 12, the fourth end 13 and the fifth end 14.

Referring to FIG. 7 there is shown a section elevation view of the stanchion 1 suitably fixed to the container cover 2 as taken through FIG. 6. The insert tab 22 is shown inserted into a hollow space 27 formed inside of the container cover between the first side 28 and the second side 29 of the container cover. A staple 42 is shown holding the insert tab 22 inside of the hollow space or adhesive 30 is also shown holding the insert tab 22. Both the staple or adhesive may or may not be used.

Referring to FIG. 8 there is shown a section elevation of the stanchion 1 fixed to the container cover 2 as taken through FIG. 7.

The assembly tab 26 is shown inside of the container cover 2.

Referring to FIG. 9 there is shown a stanchion 1 that is suitable fixed to the container cover by adhesive 30 wherein the insert tab is not shown or required.

Referring to FIG. 10 there is shown an elevation view of the second stanchion 37 of the second preferred embodiment prior to the second stanchion being suitably formed or assembled into a rigid structure.

The second stanchion 37 is comprised of a first end 31, a second end 32, a third end 33 and a fourth end 40, a second bend line 34 and second bend line 35 and a third bend line 41. The second stanchion further has a first nib 36 and a second nib 39 to fix the second stanchion to the container cover 2. The first nib and second nib will be inserted into the first slot 38 and second slot 43 that are formed in the container cover 2, to further stabilize the second stanchion on the container cover. The fourth end 40 is shown suitably fixed to the container cover 2 with adhesive 30 or a staple 42.

Referring to FIG. 11 there is shown a plan view of the second stanchion 37 as it is suitably fixed to the container cover 2 and by bending the first bend line 34 and the second bend line 35 thereby essentially forming a rigid configuration with the first end 31 the second end 32 and the third end 33.

Referring to FIG. 12 there is shown a section elevation view of the second stanchion 37 suitably fixed to the container cover 2. The first nib 36 is shown thrust through a first slot 38 formed in the container cover 2 wherein the second nib cannot be easily withdrawn from the container cover. The fourth end 40 is shown fixed to the container cover 2 by adhesive not shown or a staple 42.

Referring to FIG. 13 there is shown a section elevation as taken through FIG. 12. The second stanchion 37 is shown with the first nib 36 and second nib 39 formed in the first slot and the second slot not shown in the view of the container cover 2.

Referring to FIG. 14 there is shown a plan view of the container cover 2 with the second stanchion 37 shown held in place by the first nib 36 in the first slot 38 and the second slot 38 and second nib 39 in the second slot 43. The fourth end 40 is shown suitably held in place by a staple 42 or adhesive 30 or both means.

Although the system described in detail supra has been found to be most satisfactory and preferred, many variations are possible. For example, the stanchion may be cylindrical in section, pyramidal in section or any other possible configuration in section or elevation.

The above are exemplary of possible changes or variations.

Because of the varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements, it should be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limited sense.

A

-   1. STANCHION -   2. CONTAINER COVER -   3. CONTAINER COVER -   4. PRODUCT -   5. SNAP -   6. STANCHION LATCH -   7. CONTAINER -   8. CONTAINER BOTTOM -   9. SIDES -   10. FIRST END -   11. SECOND END -   12. THIRD END

B

-   13. FOURTH END -   14. FIFTH END -   15. -   16. FIRST BEND LINE -   17. SECOND BEND LINE -   18. THIRD BEND LINE -   19. FOURTH BEND LINE -   20. FIFTH BEND LINE -   21. LOCK TAB -   22. INSERT TAB -   23. LOCK NIB -   24. LOCK SLOT

C

-   25. LOCK TAB SLOT -   26. ASSEMBLY TAB -   27. HOLLOW SPACE -   28. FIRST SIDE -   29. SECOND SIDE -   30. ADHESIVE -   31. FIRST END -   32. SECOND END -   33. THIRD END -   34. FIRST BEND LINE -   35. SECOND BEND LINE -   36. FIRST NIB

D

-   37. SECOND STANCHION -   38. FIRST SLOT -   39. SECOND NIB -   40. FOURTH END -   41. THIRD BEND LINE -   42. STAPLE -   43. SECOND SLOT -   44. -   45. -   46. -   47. -   48. 

What is claimed as invention is:
 1. A stanchion mounted on a container cover wherein said stanchion is mounted on said container cover in an unassembled configuration and wherein said stanchion is assembled into a rigid structure on said container cover and wherein a product such as a pizza is placed in said container with said cover and wherein said cover is closed over said product and wherein said stanchion prevents said cover from collapsing onto said product thereby greatly reducing or essentially preventing and damage to said product.
 2. An unassembled stanchion mounted on a container cover in an unassembled configuration wherein said unassembled stanchion has in combination: A box cover with a first side and a second side wherein a hollow space is formed between said first side and said second side; an insert tab formed on said unassembled stanchion wherein said insert tab is inserted into said hollow space thus suitably fixing said insert tab with said unassembled stanchion to said container cover and wherein said unassembled stanchion has a first end, a second end, a third end, a fourth end and a fifth end with a first bend line, a second bend line, a third bend line, a fourth bend line, a fifth bend line, a lock slot is formed in the fifth end; and wherein said first bend line is bent to form a corner between the first end and the second end and said second bend line is bent to form a corner between said second end and said third end and said third bend line is bent to form a corner between said third end and said fourth end and said fourth bend line is bent to form a corner between said fourth end and said fifth end and said fifth bend line is bent to form a corner between said assembly tab and said lock nib and wherein said assembly tab is further pushed through said lock slot further locking said lock nib into said lock slot with said lock nib thereby forming a stanching and wherein said lock nib is thrust into said hollow space formed in said container cover wherein said stanchion is suitably fixed to said container cover and wherein said stanchion further prevents said container cover from collapsing onto said contents of said container.
 3. A stanchion mounted on a container cover in an unassembled configuration where in said stanchion is shipped fixed to said container cover with said container and is assembled with said container cover just prior to placing contents such as a pizza into said container and said stanchion has in combination, a container cover with a first side and a second side wherein at least a first slot and a second slot are formed essentially near the center of said container cover and said slots extend from said first side to said second side of container cover; an unassembled stanchion with a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourth end, a first bend line, a second bend line and a third bend line and wherein said first bend line is bent forming said first end and said second bend line is bent forming said second end and said third end and wherein said third bend line is bent forming said fourth end and said fourth end is suitably fixed to said container cover wherein said stanchion is suitably formed and said first nib and said second nib are inserted into said slot formed in said container cover and wherein said stanchion is suitably fixed to said container cover thereby forming a rigid stanchion that will prevent said container cover from collapsing onto the contents of the container.
 4. The stanchion of claim 3 wherein said fourth end of stanchion is fixed to said container cover with adhesive.
 5. The stanchion of claim 3 wherein said fourth end of said stanchion is fixed to said container cover with a staple.
 6. The stanchion of claim 2 wherein said insert tab is fixed to said lock slot with adhesive.
 7. The stanchion of claim 2 wherein said insert tab is fixed to said lock slot with a staple. 